Tillandsia grandis Schltdl.
Taxonomic Change:
- Lectotype designated : Schiede s.n. (lecto B; isolecto B; syn BM, HAL, LE, OXF) (Weber, 1984: 587)
Literature references:
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Comments:
- From J Brom Soc 46: 99-102. 1996
A Striking Bromeliad by Miguel J. Chazaro and Burl L. Mostul
INTRODUCTION
In 1828 and 1829, two German botanists, Christian Julius Wilheim Schiede and Fernindand Deppe, spent 14 months collecting seeds, dried plant material, wood samples and zoological specimens in the central part of Veracruz State and the adjacent part of Puebla State in central Mexico. They traveled by foot, horseback and muleback collecting abundant material to send back to Europe. In the process they discovered several genera and over 400 species new to science.
Most of the taxa were described by the prominent German taxonomists, Diedrich Friedrich Leonard von Schlechtendal and Adalbert von Chamisso in the German Journal Linnaea in a series of articles under the title "Plantarum Mexicanum". This was later changed to "De Plantis Mexicani", written in Latin. The articles were published between 1829 and 1845.
Schiede and Deppe discovered novelties in a number of plant families, including both nonflowering plants (Pteridophytes) and flowering plants (Gymnosperms and Angiosperms). The genus Deppea (Rubiaceae) and Schiedella (Orchidaceae) as well as numerous taxa under the specific epithets schiediana or schiedei and deppeana or deppei commemorate their names (Chazaro, 1982).
Among the Bromeliaceae found by them and new to science were Catopsis aloides, C. apicroides,(both now sessiliflora), Pitcairnia schiedeana, Tillandsia brachycaulos, T: caespitosa(now multicaulis) T. circinnata (now streptophylla) T deppeana, T filifolia, T grandis, T. punctulata, T. schiedeana, T. tricolor and others.
This is the first in a series of papers that we intend to publish which aim to provide specific data and photos on some interesting Bromeliaceae occurring in central Mexico.
Tillandsia grandis Schlechtendal
One of the authors (M. Chazaro) was born at Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico, grew up there, and obtained his bachelor degree in Biology at the local university. He spent several years in the 1980's engaged in botanical activities and is quite familiar with the geography and flora of the area visited by Schiede and Deppe 167 years ago. The city of Xalapa is located in the heart of this area.
In a couple of papers by the senior author (Chazaro, 1987 and 1988), very general information about Tillandsia grandis was furnished.
In July and August of 1828, Schiede and Deppe stayed six weeks at Hacienda La Laguna, 12 miles northeast of the city ofTeocelo on the property of an Englishman, Mr. Heaven (Chazaro 1982 and 1989). One day they explored the big ravine of Teocelo, and as they walked down they came across a huge bromeliad thriving on the rocky cliffs. It was later described by Schlechtendal (1844) as Tillandsia grandis, an appropriate name since this is by far the largest bromeliad in Mexico.
Although geographic distribution of this plant ranges from central Mexico down to Guatamala, Belize, and Honduras (Chazaro, 1987), our field experience with this taxon comes from the central part of Veracruz (Xalapa-Orizaba region), including the type locality at Teocelo ravine. It grows abundantly there, usually forming colonies on rocky cliffs, both of volcanic and limestone substrate; from 400 up to 450 masl. It always grows in frost free areas, hence it is not hardy. Therefore in northern or southern temperate countries it should be cultivated in a greenhouse. Tillandsia grandis is strictly a rupicolous (grows on rocks) species, occurring in the nearby tropical sub-evergreen forest, the montane rain forest, or in cloud forest. Rainfall in these altitudinal belts measures from 1500 up to 2000 mm per year.
In Mexico, Tillandsia grandis is restricted to the southeast in the states of Veracruz, Oaxaca, and Chiapas. It is unknown from the western states.
The inflorescence forms a big columnar structure with the spikes pointing upward. The ephemeral flowers emerge from among the bracts of the spikes from January to March. Due to the white color we assume that they are nocturnal and as a consequence the pollinators should be moths.
It is of interest to cite the data by Graf (1957) that the inflorescence can reach 11 feet and take 35 years to produce flowers, according to observations made by Mulford Foster in plants cultivated at his home.
Finally, we would like to point out that T. grandis was not included among the numerous species treated by Isley (1987). —See Smith & Downs 1977
